Monday’s announcement of a controversial migration shake-up by British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has elicited different reactions from many Africans in the United Kingdom, with some welcoming the concessions made to care workers while others have expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding their future settlement plans.
Mahmood announced that the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) would double from the usual five years to 10 years for most migrants, under a new earned settlement system. Some categories of migrants could face even longer waiting periods under the proposals.
The announcement, however, came with significant revisions to the initial plans following criticism from Labour MPs, Cabinet members, trade unions and organisations representing migrant workers.
Under the revised arrangement, care workers who arrived in the UK before May 2025, complied with their visa conditions and earned at least £25,000 annually in the social care sector would retain the existing five-year route to settlement.
Those who do not meet the requirements could be offered another five-year care visa, giving them an opportunity to meet the conditions before applying for settlement.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mahmood said her policies were “guided above all by fairness”, arguing that permanent settlement should reflect migrants’ contribution to the country and their conduct while living in the UK.
Indefinite leave to remain, also known as settlement, allows a person to live, work and study in the UK without an immigration time limit. It also provides access to public funds where an individual meets the eligibility requirements and offers a pathway to applying for British citizenship.
For many migrants, obtaining ILR represents the culmination of years of hard work, financial commitments, family sacrifices and compliance with immigration requirements. It is also an important step towards establishing long-term security for themselves and their families.
However, the government’s latest announcement has left many Africans questioning whether the rules they relied upon when making life-changing decisions to relocate to Britain will still apply to them.
One of those affected, Zainab Hassan, a Ghanaian chef, expressed frustration on social media, saying she had only three months left before qualifying for settlement.
“It’s unfair for us. Only three months left for me for ILR and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve put in all my best and see where the government is pushing us to. Can everyone be a care worker?” she asked.
Her concern reflects the anxiety among migrants who have spent several years working, paying taxes and meeting the requirements attached to their visas, only to discover that the qualifying period could change before they submit their applications.
For some, the issue goes beyond the additional years they may have to spend in the country. It raises questions about the expectations created by the immigration arrangements under which they originally arrived.
Also expressing dissatisfaction with the revised policy, Saleem Khan said he came to the UK under the existing five-year settlement pathway and made major life decisions based on that understanding.
He argued that fairness should extend to all skilled workers, rather than being limited to those employed in the care sector.
“There are many other Skilled Workers contributing to essential industries and carrying out jobs in hazardous and dangerous environments, including healthcare manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, radiopharmaceuticals, engineering and other critical sectors. People working in these roles also deserve recognition, protection and fair treatment.
“It would be unfair to overlook other Skilled Workers who are equally contributing to the country. If the aim is fairness, it must apply to everyone, regardless of their occupation. Those already in the UK under the existing rules should not be penalised by retrospective changes. Fairness must be for all, not just for selected sectors,” he said.
His position highlights one of the major concerns surrounding the proposed changes: the distinction between workers who will receive transitional protection and others who may have to wait longer despite having entered the country through legitimate immigration routes.
Putting out his thoughts under the hashtag #UntoldFeelings, Hammad Nizam described the proposed extension as a moving finish line for migrants who had organised their lives around the previous five-year arrangement.
“We didn’t ask for a shortcut. We simply trusted the finish line. I came to the UK with a five-year dream. I worked for it, paid for it and built my future around it. Now, with only one year left, the finish line has moved. How can a promise change when the sacrifices have already been made?” he said.
For Ayodeji Adejola, a Nigerian living in Kent, however, migrants should be careful not to treat the announcement as an established law.
“This is just a proposal, not becoming law yet,” he said, expressing the view that the final implementation details would determine the extent of its impact.
Ken Kemo, a Botswanan living in Essex, also expressed concern about the implications for people already following the 10-year settlement route.
“Some of us were given leave to remain since 2018 on 10yrs route with public funds. This news is now going to affect us,” she lamented.
Edward Richards questioned the practical implications of the £25,000 earnings threshold for care workers, arguing that many people in the sector might struggle to meet it.
“But this is not straight at all. How many carers earn £25k a year in the UK? Some will still miss out,” he said.
For migrants who have worked in the care sector for several years, the salary requirement could prove decisive in determining whether they benefit from the government’s concession. The distinction between those who meet the threshold and those who do not has therefore become another source of uncertainty.
Destiny Kingsley, a Cameroonian living in Basildon, said he was not convinced that the revised arrangement would provide relief to as many migrants as some people expected.
“A lot of people would be denied and given an extra 5 years when they apply. People don’t read in-between the lines. It’s more like, we’ll tell you what you want to hear and do what’s on our mind,” he said.
Chinedu Imoh, a Nigerian, similarly questioned how many care workers would have earned the required £25,000 before May 2025.
“How many carers had a contract of 25k before May 2025? I saw what the government did there. Very smart of them. Most people rejoicing over this, thinking they would qualify for ILR in their 5th year will end up adding more 2, 3, or 4yrs to qualify. A very smart move by the government,” he said.
However, not all reactions have been negative. Prince Thiza, a Zimbabwean care worker based in Sunderland, welcomed the government’s decision to preserve the five-year settlement pathway for eligible care workers, although he acknowledged that some migrants would not benefit from the concession.
“Great news but I feel sorry for those who haven’t worked much to meet the criteria. Kodwa ke it’s not all bad… Just knuckle down and do another 5 years plus you will be allowed to change employers,” he said.
Deollyn Kamanga from Zambia also questioned the interpretation of the salary requirement, arguing that the government needed to provide greater clarity on whether the £25,000 threshold referred to current earnings or income maintained throughout the qualifying period.
“People don’t understand English at all. Earning means what you are currently earning. They should have said what you used to earn and currently earn £25,000 if it means for all 5 years,” she said.
For Kelvin Frimpong, a Ghanaian senior carer who arrived in the UK on a care worker visa in 2022, the revised arrangement represents a reasonable compromise. He argued that the care sector has relied heavily on overseas workers, many of whom have endured difficult working conditions while looking after vulnerable people.
He maintained that the government should recognise the sacrifices made by migrant care workers, particularly those who have continued working in the sector despite challenging circumstances.
Frimpong said, “Immigration affects people’s lives and it should be taken seriously.’’
